text:
Friday 25 January
|Epidalea (1)
The chief distinguishing feature of the natterjack toad (Bufo calamita) is the yellow stripe down its back. Shorter hind legs also tell the natterjack toad apart from the common toad and it has a tendency to run instead of hopping or walking, which is why it is sometimes called the running toad.
Natterjack toads emerge from hibernation later than frogs and common toads. Depending on the weather this can be as early as March and as late as June. The males make their surprisingly loud croaking call in the afternoon and evening and often after rain. Shortly after emerging they begin their breeding cycle. Mating takes place in sun-warmed ponds and then males and females leave the water separately. Spawning occurs in shallow water, each female producing from 1500 to 7500 eggs. These hatch in about a week and the tadpoles take a further three to eight weeks to metamorphose into toadlets.
Adults retreat into burrows during warm weather and emerge at night to feed on moths, woodlice and other insects. Along their coastal range, they have been known to follow the strand-line to find food such as sandhoppers and other marine invertebrates.
Hibernation takes place in burrows, usually excavated by the toad, but they are known to use the burrows of other animals such as rabbits, rodents and even sand martins.
Natterjack toads are found across much of western Europe. Britain marks the western edge of its range but they have never been widespread. In the UK the largest concentration of populations is in the north-west coast of England with other colonies found in East Anglia, Dorset, Hampshire, Surrey and Staffordshire, the Solway coast and North Wales. Natterjacks also occur in south-west Ireland where it is the only native toad.
This species is confined to places characterised by light, sandy soils and warm, shallow ponds, often near the coast. Sand dune systems, salt marshes and lowland heathland are the natterjack toads' main habitat types.
The natterjack toad is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List (1). It is endangered in the UK. Fully protected by schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981, listed under Appendix II of the Bern Convention and Annex IV of the EC Habitats Directive.
Natterjack toads have never been common in the UK and loss of their heathland and sand dune habitats and the drying up of suitable ponds has contributed to their decline. The toad is now severely threatened across much of its European range.
The natterjack toad is the subject of a Biodiversity Species Action Plan and most of their UK sites are now protected, some as nature reserves. Through English Nature's Species Recovery Programme, work has focused on maintaining suitable ponds and, where possible, constructing new ones. New ponds must share the characteristics of naturally occurring ones. They must be shallow in order to warm up swiftly during the day and have gently sloping sides to enable the adults and toadlets to climb out. Reintroduction programmes have also begun in order to conserve this unusual amphibian. Natterjack toads are fully protected by law in the UK and it is illegal to capture, kill, disturb or injure the animals or to destroy or damage their breeding sites or resting places.
This information is awaiting authentication by a species expert, and will be updated as soon as possible. If you are able to help please contact:
Image credit
© Ingo Arndt / naturepl.com
Nature Picture Library
5a Great George Street
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0) 117 911 4675
Fax: +44 (0) 117 911 4699
Link to this photo
Embed this Arkive thumbnail link ("portlet") by copying and pasting the code below.
Terms of Use - The displayed portlet may be used as a link from your website to Arkive's online content for private, scientific, conservation or educational purposes only. It may NOT be used within Apps.
Read more about
MyARKive offers the scrapbook feature to signed-up members, allowing you to organize your favourite Arkive images and videos and share them with friends.
Play the Team WILD game:
This species is featured in:
Friday 25 January
Friday 05 October
Monday 24 September


text:
Running, jumping and diving is on everyone's mind these days as the London 2012 Olympic Games kick off and the world watches the best human athletes compete. But humans aren't the only ones that display incredible feats of athleticism–today IUCN offers up the gold medalists of the animal kingdom.
These animal athletes, some of which are listed as threatened on The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™, are the fastest sprinters, the highest jumpers and the most graceful gymnasts in the natural world.
Beginning with the track and field events, the Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus),would take gold in the 100m—reaching speeds of up to 70mph in short bursts. In comparison, Usain Bolt, the fastest human sprinter, can reach a speed of 27.7mph (44.6km/h). Over long distances, the Arctic Tern (Sterna paradisaea) completes an impressive marathon every year, with some individuals flying over 80,000km between their summer breeding grounds in the Arctic and their wintering sites in Antarctica.
Elsewhere on the athletics field, the Common Froghopper (Philaenus spumarius) could win gold for the high jump as it can jump 115 times its own height. This is equivalent to a human jumping 200m! Taking part in the throwing events using a technique that does not strictly follow the rules of shot put, the Lammergeier (Gypaetus barbatus), also known as a Bearded Vulture, drops large bones from great heights to shatter them and eat the nutritious marrow inside.
Performing in the gymnastics events, the graceful Agile Gibbon (Hylobates agilis) and dancing birds-of-paradise (Paradisaeidae family) would wow us with their gold-standard moves. The Agile Gibbon, which is listed as Endangered on The IUCN Red List, moves gracefully from tree to tree in the forest by moving its forearms alternately to swing between branches. Male birds-of-paradise use their gymnastic skills and brightly coloured feathers - which wouldn't look out of place on a gymnast's leotard - to impress females and win a chance to mate.
Displaying its strength in the boxing ring is the European Hare (Lepus europaeus). During mating season – which is known as "March Madness" – females choose their partners according to their strength by "boxing" with them—when females and males stand on their hind legs and hit each other with their paws. Only strong males impress the females and get the chance to mate.
One of the strongest animals in world is the Rhinoceros Beetle (Xyloryctes thestalus), which can carry loads of more than 30 times its body mass. In comparison, the heaviest individual weight lifted by a human in an Olympic competition was 263.5kg by Hossein Rezazadeh, a weight that was about one and a half times his own bodyweight and equivalent to lifting four average-sized people.
The mythical home of the Twelve Olympians, Gods of the ancient Greek world, is Mount Olympus. Found growing at Mount Olympus and in just one other location in the world is the fungus Zeus olympius which only grows on dead branches of the pine tree Pinus leucodermis.
While celebrating the achievements of talented athletes across the world this summer, we should also take the time to appreciate these incredible species.
Below you can find extra information, other events and more incredible animal athletes.
Archery - Smallscale Archerfish (Toxotes microlepis) Archerfish shoot down land based insects (flying insects or insects on branches) and other small animals with water shot from their specialized mouths. This species is found in Southeast Asia along the shores of flowing or standing fresh or brackish water with overhanging vegetation. The Smallscale Archerfish is listed as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List.
Artistic gymnastics - Agile Gibbon (Hylobates agilis) Gibbons are famous for their graceful gymnastic movements that parallel the agility of gymnasts performing on the uneven bars. Living in forests in Sumatra, Peninsular Malaysia and south Thailand, the Agile Gibbon moves from tree to tree by moving its forearms alternately to swing between branches. There are currently 16 species of gibbon on The IUCN Red List and the Agile Gibbon is listed as Endangered.
Boxing - European Hare (Lepus europaeus) The European Hare mating season peaks in spring during a time called "March Madness." Females choose their partners according to their strength by "boxing" with them—when females and males stand on their hind legs and hit each other with their paws. As females are slightly larger than males, only strong males impress the females and get the chance to mate. The European Hare is listed as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List.
Diving - Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) One of the fastest species in the world, the Peregrine Falcon can reach up to 200mph (320km/h) when diving through the sky in hot pursuit of its prey. The fastest ever dive recorded was 242mph (390km/h). Found across the globe except in Antarctica, this species is listed as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List.
Equestrian - Yellow-billed Oxpecker (Buphagus africanus) and Red-billed Oxpecker (Buphagus erythrorhynchus) Oxpeckers are two species of bird that ride on the backs of African grazing mammals, eating ticks and other parasites living on their host. The relationship between oxpeckers and the mammals they perch on is generally beneficial to both, but may be detrimental to the mammals in some cases. The Yellow-billed Oxpecker and Red-billed Oxpecker are both listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
High jump - Common Froghopper (Philaenus spumarius) This insect, which is common throughout Britain, has developed an extraordinary jump that allows it to leap out of the way of predators or animals grazing on the plants they call home. The force a Common Froghopper exerts at take-off is 400 times their body weight and the highest jumpers can reach 700mm–115 times their body length—which is like a human jumping 200m! This species has not yet been assessed for The IUCN Red List.
Javelin - Indian Crested Porcupine (Hystrix indica) Porcupines may have javelin-like spines, but unlike Olympic athletes they do not hurl them through the air. The porcupine's spines help it to regulate its temperature and are also used for defense. When it feels threatened, a porcupine will raise its quills to make itself look bigger. The Indian Crested Porcupine is recorded in Turkey and the eastern Mediterranean through southwest and central Asia (including Afghanistan and Turkmenistan) to Pakistan, India, Nepal, China and Sri Lanka and is listed as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List.
Marathon - Arctic Tern (Sterna paradisaea) This bird migrates from the high Arctic where it breeds in summer to its Antarctic wintering grounds each year—with some individuals flying more than 80,000km annually! During their lives, Arctic Terns, which can live for more than 30 years, travel a distance that is equivalent to approximately three return journeys to the moon and back. The Arctic Tern is listed as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List.
Sailing - Sailfish (Istiophorus platypterus) Sailfish have a large dorsal fin which has the appearance of a sail, hence its name. The fin runs along the length of its body and when extended, it is taller than the width of the body. The Atlantic population of the Sailfish is sometimes referred to as Istiophorus albicans, while the Indo-Pacific population is called Istiophorus platypterus, but there is no genetic evidence to indicate they are two separate species. The Sailfish is listed as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List.
Shooting - Himalayan Balsam (Impatiens glandulifera) The ripe fruits of the Himalayan Balsam open explosively with a popping sound, 'shooting' the seeds to some distance. A prolific seed producer, each plant produces about 2,500 seeds and its dispersal technique helps the plant colonize new areas. Native to the Himalayas, but naturalized in Europe and elsewhere, it tends to become an invasive species and out-compete other plants. It has not yet been assessed for The IUCN Red List.
Shot Put - Lammergeier (Gypaetus barbatus) The Lammergeier, also known as a Bearded Vulture, is a bird of prey and one of the largest of the old world vultures. This bird wins the prize for shot put because it drops large bones from great heights in order to shatter them and eat the nutritious marrow inside. This species can be found in ranges from southern Europe through the Middle East to northeastern China, and also occurs in parts of north, east and southern Africa. The Lammergeier is listed as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List.
Sprinting - Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) The Cheetah is the fastest land mammal in the world and can reach speeds of up to 70mph (113km/h) in short sprints. In comparison, Usain Bolt, the fastest human sprinter, can reach a speed of 27.7mph (44.6km/h). Listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, this species is found across Africa, with a subspecies (Acinonyx jubatus venaticus) in Iran that is listed as Critically Endangered.
Rhythmic gymnastics - Birds-of-paradise (Paradisaeidae family) Birds-of-paradise are famous for their colourful feathers and dance-like displays which are reminiscent of gymnasts in their brightly coloured leotards. Male birds-of-paradise compete for the attention of females in courtship behaviour known as "lekking." Lekking involves males, either individually or in groups, showing off their feathers, hopping, head bopping and shaking their delicate long streamer-like plumage. If a male manages to impress a female he is rewarded with an opportunity to mate. Found in Papua New Guinea and Indonesia, there are 40 species of birds-of-paradise in the family Paradisaeidae listed on The IUCN Red List of which three, Black Sicklebill (Epimachus fastuosus), Blue Bird-of-paradise (Paradisaea rudolphi) and Wahnes's Parotia (Parotia wahnesi) are listed as threatened.
Triathlon - Galapagos Marine Iguana (Amblyrhynchus cristatus) You won't see this species riding a bike, but the Galapagos Marine Iguana is the only lizard in the world that you will see running on land and swimming beneath the ocean waves. In pursuit of marine algae to eat, large males are capable of swimming to depths of 20m and staying underwater for 30 minutes. After feeding in the cold seawater, marine iguanas sunbath on land to warm up again. The Galapagos Marine Iguana is listed as Vulnerable on The IUCN Red List.
Weightlifting - Rhinoceros Beetle (Xyloryctes thestalus) This beetle is able to carry loads of more than 30 times its body mass and is among the strongest animals on earth. In comparison, the heaviest individual weight lifted by a human in an Olympic competition was 263.5kg by Hossein Rezazadeh, a weight that was about one and a half times his own bodyweight and equivalent to lifting four average-sized people. Found in Arizona, New Mexico and Mexico, this species has not yet been assessed for The IUCN Red List.
From the mythical home of the Olympian Greek Gods - Zeus olympius Zeus olympius is a species of fungus that until this year was only found on Mount Olympus, the mythical home of the Twelve Olympians of the ancient Greek world. This fungus is found growing on dead branches of the pine tree Pinus leucodermis and was recently discovered in a second location in south-west Bulgaria near the Greek border. This species has not yet been assessed for The IUCN Red List.
For more information please contact:
Maggie Roth, IUCN Media Relations, m +1 202 262 5313, e firstname.lastname@example.com;
Camellia Williams, IUCN Species Programme Communications, IUCN, t +41 22 999 0154, e email@example.com

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Explore Rainforest Wedding Venues in Northern California
Re-do search in this area
Redwoods River Resort
Leggett, CA
Vintage, Hotel/Resort, Park/Garden, Rainforest, Mountain, Outdoor
Starting from $1,152 to $3,671 for 50 guests
Welcome to Redwoods River Resort, your place for family, friends and fun during your wedding celebration in the Northern California Redwoods. WE CAN OFFER A WEEKEND GET-A-WAY FOR YOUR ENTIRE WEDDING PARTY THAT THEY WILL NEVER FORGET! The Resort features 8 motel rooms & 7 cozy cabins that sleep 2-6 p...
Showing other similar Wedding Venues Venues in Northern California
The Mountain Terrace
Woodside, CA
Vintage, Banquet Hall/Restaurant, Event Center, Park/Garden, Mountain, Outdoor
Starting from $6,030 to $29,459 for 50 guests
Follow a tree-lined, winding road leading to The Mountain Terrace. You will have exclusive use of our entire property for your event. Your guests will enjoy our sunny meadow and surround redwoods, as well as the stunning view of the bay, and then come inside to our antique, solid oak bar and dining ...
Vintners Resort
Santa Rosa, CA
Winery/Vineyard/Brewery, Event Center, Ballrooms, Bed & Breakfast/Inn, Outdoor
Starting from $11,328 to $19,952 for 50 guests
Surrounded by beautiful landscaped gardens and framed by 200 acres of lush vineyards, Vintners Resort offers a unique setting that highlights Sonoma's natural beauty. The Resort is an intimate boutique style hotel with a Tuscan flavor. Stroll past the elegant marble fountain and under the 35-foot be...
Cinnabar Hills Golf Club
San Jose, CA
Golf Course, Banquet Hall/Restaurant, Outdoor
Starting from $7,334 to $13,613 for 50 guests
Our venue is an idyllic setting to host the wedding of your dreams! The outdoor patio is beautifully landscaped, with lush greenery and white roses, with bistro lights strung above and rolling hills as your backdrop. The indoor reception area has towering skylights, as well as floor to ceiling windo...
Willow Heights Mansion
Morgan Hill, CA
Winery/Vineyard/Brewery, Mansion, Private Estate, Ballrooms, Outdoor, Modern
Starting from $10,837 to $19,868 for 50 guests
From the moment your guests arrive at the Willow Heights Mansion they will know that it is one of the world's most enchanting settings. The Willow Heights Mansion is a unique oasis where friends and family can gather in a relaxed and private setting and enjoy the exclusive use of this private mansio...
Club Los Meganos
Brentwood, CA
Winery/Vineyard/Brewery, Event Center, Private Club, Park/Garden, Outdoor
Starting from $10,836 to $21,713 for 50 guests
With breathtaking vistas of Mount Diablo and the surrounding vineyards, the Club Los Meganos venue is an impressive wedding location found in Brentwood, California. Whether it's an intimate affair or a blowout celebration, this venue's settings can accommodate the special day you have always envisio...
Tsakopoulos Library Galleria
Sacramento, CA
Museum/Gallery, Historic/Landmark Building
Starting from $6,410 to $14,078 for 100 guests
Settled in downtown Sacramento, the Tsakopoulos Library Galleria opened in 1992 as a premier event space offering an unparalleled combination of style and space. A taste of history is experienced as the couple enter through the Old Foyer of the original 1918 Library building. The five-story atrium i...
The GlassHouse
San Jose, CA
Outdoor, Banquet Hall/Restaurant, Event Center, Ballrooms, Modern
As one of the largest venue spaces located in the heart of downtown San Jose, The GlassHouse is known for its glamorous and stylish interiors with many contemporary twists. Complemented by its stunning open air patio, handicap access, onsite recommendations, bird suite, insurance, and wireless inter...
The Meritage Resort and Spa
Napa, CA
Winery/Vineyard/Brewery, Hotel/Resort, Ballrooms, Outdoor
Starting from $23,695 to $24,697 for 50 guests
Set against the rolling vineyards of California's Wine Country, The Meritage Resort and Spa illuminates with gracious hospitality, unrivaled luxury, culinary excellence, and a Napa Valley experience that you and your guests will never forget. Enjoy specialty cocktails by expert mixologists on the o...
Sacramento, CA
Mansion, Historic/Landmark Building, Ballrooms, Bed & Breakfast/Inn, Outdoor
Starting from $8,779 to $17,243 for 50 guests
Vizcaya is a full-service Sacramento wedding venue. We provide detailed event planning assistance from the beginning planning stages, including event design, detailing, and execution, for the most important day of your life. Our focal point is the beautiful Pavilion, surrounded by beautiful gardens...
Brownstone Gardens
Oakley, CA
Park/Garden, Event Center, Outdoor
Starting from $10,118 to $21,578 for 75 guests
Located just outside downtown Oakley in Contra Costa County, Brownstone Gardens is an elegant venue with a unique outdoor garden setting that exudes a rarefied ambiance. With hundreds of new plants being added each year, the colors surrounding you will take your breath away. Welcome breezes rustle t...
Saratoga Springs
Saratoga, CA
Park/Garden, Mountain, Outdoor
Starting from $7,897 to $16,693 for 50 guests
Saratoga Springs offers a spectacular natural outdoor wedding venue. Fresh air, running water, soaring redwoods and mature vegetation provide a stunning backdrop for your unforgettable ceremony and reception. Nestled in the hills of the Santa Cruz Mountains, just two miles from downtown Saratoga, th...
Corinthian Grand Ballroom
San Jose, CA
Vintage, Historic/Landmark Building, Event Center, Ballrooms
The Corinthian Grand Ballroom, Located in Downtown San Jose, is the premiere location for your wedding ceremony & reception. With our team of lighting, decorating, and catering partners – your event is sure to be amazing. The Corinthian Grand Ballroom is Silicon Valley's most elegant and historic pr...
The Citizen Hotel
Sacramento, CA
Banquet Hall/Restaurant, Historic/Landmark Building, Hotel/Resort, Ballrooms
Starting from $19,314 to $26,203 for 50 guests
Providing soon-to-be-couples with a unique combination of historic charm and sleek modern amenities, The Citizen Hotel brings a new kind of luxury wedding venue to downtown Sacramento. Known for being unexpectedly elegant, this stunning wedding ceremony and reception space is ideal for both local co...
Mountain House Estate
Cloverdale, CA
Private Estate, Rustic & Barn, Park/Garden, Mountain, Vintage, Outdoor
Starting from $9,700 to $13,115 for 50 guests
Located in the beautiful northern California wine region, Mountain House Estate boasts gorgeous indoor and outdoor event spaces that will make your wedding shine. Prepare for your wedding in the the elegant and chic Oasis, with ravishing chandelier and comfy seating, and for your partner, we have Th...
Sequoyah Country Club
Oakland, CA
Golf Course, Private Club, Outdoor
Starting from $7,195 to $13,750 for 50 guests
Since 1913, the rolling hills and statuesque trees have provided a picturesque backdrop for the Sequoyah Country Club. With such stunning greens and elegant style, the venue has been a popular choice for weddings and celebrations of all types. The glorious Sequoyah Clubhouse, with its high beam ceil...
Gardener Ranch
Carmel Valley, CA
Rustic & Barn, Park/Garden, Mountain, Vintage, Outdoor
Starting from $13,061 to $15,625 for 50 guests
Nestled along the pristine Carmel River banks, Gardener Ranch weaves an elegant, rustic atmosphere idyllic for outdoor weddings. The pale wooden fixtures and magical tree canopy produce a simple fairy-tale getaway, while the dependable sunshine and low humidity ensures a day to remember. The landsca...
Black Oak Mountain Vineyards
Cool, CA
Winery/Vineyard/Brewery, Private Estate, Rustic & Barn, Mountain, Vintage, Modern
Starting from $7,499 to $10,308 for 50 guests
----------- Black Oak is considered ESSENTIAL as an agricultural business. We are OPEN. ----------- A Luxury Ca. Wedding and Special Event Venue Offering 150 Acres of Modern Desert Mountain Architecture and Serene Natural Beauty... This property features views of the majestic Sierra mountains a...
Auberge du Soleil
Rutherford, CA
Outdoor, Banquet Hall/Restaurant, Hotel/Resort
Starting from $11,795 to $38,953 for 50 guests
Auberge du Soleil is wine country's most iconic luxury property nestled in a 33-acre sunlit olive grove on the slopes of Rutherford Hill, featuring majestic views of the renowned Napa Valley. Distinguished as a prestigious Relais & Chateaux property, the resort offers 50 spacious and contemporary gu...
Harris Ranch Inn & Restaurant
Coalinga, CA
Rustic & Barn, Hotel/Resort, Ballrooms, Bed & Breakfast/Inn, Vintage, Outdoor
Starting from $0 to $6,382 for 50 guests
Harris Ranch Inn and Restaurant is renowned as one of the finest Central California wedding and reception venues. Beautiful settings and professional event planning staff are complemented by Harris Ranch's incomparable banquet service. Harris Ranch Inn and Restaurant make wedding dreams come true i...
Jefferson Street Mansion by Wedgewood We...
Benicia, CA
Mansion, Historic/Landmark Building, Private Estate, Ocean/Waterfront View, Vintage, Outdoor
Starting from $10,025 to $13,841 for 50 guests
On the hill overlooking the lapping waters of the bay sits Jefferson Street Mansion by Wedgewood Weddings, a noble, sophisticated wedding venue. From the moment you arrive, Jefferson Street Mansion by Wedgewood Weddings will blow you away with its unique styling and historic beauty in virtually eve...
BLOC Venue
Roseville, CA
Event Center, Loft, Modern
Tired of the boring overpriced ballrooms and banquet centers with all the rules and specific vendors you have to use? So are we! Welcome to BLOC venue! We are a blank canvas space that has a complete open vendor policy. Want a food truck, specific catering company or your favorite late night snack...
The Westin St. Francis
San Francisco, CA
Historic/Landmark Building, Hotel/Resort, Event Center, City/Skyline View, Ballrooms, Modern
Starting from $21,158 to $26,922 for 50 guests
For over 100 years, The Westin St. Francis has been the premier destination for luxe celebrations. Commonly referred to as the Grand Dame of Union Square, it stands as a symbol of elegance in the heart of San Francisco, and couples flock from all corners to celebrate their nuptials under the exquisi...
Fairview Sonoma County
Rohnert Park, CA
Vintage, Banquet Hall/Restaurant, Event Center, Golf Course, Park/Garden, Outdoor
Starting from $4,770 to $8,481 for 50 guests
Fairview Sonoma County gives your wedding guests unparalleled access to beautiful California wine country. Just over an hour north of the Golden Gate Bridge and less than 10 minutes from Santa Rosa, the Reception Hall provides an unforgettable setting for your special day. Walk down the aisle to say...
San Francisco Design Center Galleria
San Francisco, CA
Historic/Landmark Building, Event Center, Modern
Starting from $17,342 to $21,948 for 50 guests
Located in San Francisco's hip design district, the Galleria is known as one of the Bay Area's best places to celebrate. The venue features a spectacular four-story atrium that includes a retractable skylight, which opens to the stars. With its professional stage, exposed brick walls, hardwood dance...
Jacuzzi Family Vineyards
Sonoma, CA
Winery/Vineyard/Brewery, Outdoor
Starting from $7,764 to $17,556 for 50 guests
The 18,000 square foot Italian villa sits atop 190-acres in the Sonoma Valley. The stone venue, opened in 2007, is said to model the Jacuzzi family villa in their hometown of northern Italy. The Grand Piazza is an airy, large open courtyard in the center of the property. The colored roof tiles and s...
V Sattui Winery
Saint Helena, CA
Winery/Vineyard/Brewery, Private Estate, Park/Garden, Outdoor
Starting from $18,256 to $26,984 for 50 guests
V. Sattui is proud to be one of the first, and one of the only Napa Valley Wineries to host weddings and selected as one of the top five winery wedding venues in the world! V. Sattui is the Napa Valley's most romantic destination, where the lush landscapes, rustic charm, and award-winning wines serv...
Carneros Resort and Spa
Napa, CA
Event Center, Ballrooms, Modern
Starting from $20,742 to $26,668 for 50 guests
Surrounded by rolling hills and the scenic vineyards of Napa Valley, Carneros Resort and Spa provides a luxurious backdrop for all of your wedding festivities. Located on 28 acres in the heart of wine country, the venue's modern farm-inspired design sets an elegant yet rustic setting for everything ...
Waterfall Lodge & Retreat
Ben Lomond, CA
Vintage, Event Center, Bed & Breakfast/Inn, Mountain, Outdoor
Set among the stunning redwood forests in the Santa Cruz mountains, the Waterfall Lodge & Retreat offers a breathtaking setting for all your wedding festivities. This gorgeous venue was built with lumber milled from the surrounding area as well as reclaimed barn wood that dates to the 19th century. ...
Hornblower Cruises & Events - Northern C...
San Francisco, CA
Ocean/Waterfront View, Event Center, Cruise Ship/Yacht, City/Skyline View, Outdoor, Modern
Starting from $6,920 to $9,667 for 50 guests
Known as a local favorite for dinner cruises in San Francisco, the Hornblower Cruises and Events of Northern California provides a one-of-a-kind setting for a nautical wedding day. Boasting breathtaking views, exceptional service, and delicious food and drinks prepared by the talented onboard chefs,...
The Callippe Preserve Golf Course
Pleasanton, CA
Golf Course, Banquet Hall/Restaurant, Outdoor
Starting from $3,405 to $14,372 for 50 guests
The Callippe Preserve Golf Course sits on a perch overlooking Mount Diablo and the entire Tri-Valley area. Studded with live oaks, the golf course venue provides amazing vistas in every direction. In the ranch-style clubhouse, the appropriately named Vista Room is surrounded by beauty, visible throu...
Villa Chanticleer
Healdsburg, CA
Vintage, Historic/Landmark Building, Event Center, Park/Garden, Ballrooms, Outdoor
Healdsburg's Villa Chanticleer may simply be the most unique facility for weddings in California. Located in the heart of Sonoma County's wine country, the historic buildings can accommodate cozy intimate affairs and large lavish celebrations. Perched on Fitch Mountain, the Villa offers panoramic vi...
Los Gatos, CA
Private Estate, Rustic & Barn, Park/Garden, Mountain, Vintage, Outdoor
Starting from $19,360 to $26,600 for 50 guests
Nestled in the redwoods on acres of lush landscaped property, this exceptional retreat is located just minutes away from the heart of the Silicon Valley. Gorgeous views, rustic elegance, and unique amenities come together to provide a stunning environment that will always be remembered. Lush gardens...
W San Francisco
San Francisco, CA
Outdoor, Banquet Hall/Restaurant, Hotel/Resort, City/Skyline View, Ballrooms, Modern
Starting from $7,188 to $13,257 for 50 guests
The city by the bay is an enchanting, electric backdrop for an urban, sophisticated wedding, and the W San Francisco is the perfect reflection of this trendy city in which it is located. A wedding planner will help you coordinate all the details for an event that is sleek and contemporary while at t...
Bayonet and Black Horse
Seaside, CA
Golf Course, Banquet Hall/Restaurant, Outdoor
Starting from $2,414 to $7,981 for 50 guests
Overlooking the breathtaking Monterey Bay with mature cypress and oak trees, Bayonet and Black Horse provides the perfect location for you to spend the first day of the rest of your life. Amongst the history, natural beauty, and its world-class facilities, at the Bayonet Black Horse you and your gue...


text:
Collectible Tyrion Lannister Figurine
Apparently HBO's Game of Thrones has reached a new level of geek-dom from adoring fans; enough so that people are selling and purchasing collectibles from the hit TV show.
If you're a fan and would like to join in, this Tyrion Lannister figurine is a good place to start. It stands about 8.5 inches tall and actually comes with two pairs of exchangeable hands, a goblet, and a book. (We would have though Jaimie would be the one with an exchangeable hand.) The facial features are as realistic as they can get. It is just proof that the guys at Threezero are really good at what they do.


text:
New Restaurants Open on Oahu
New Releases: We check out three new restaurants, two big time, one better.
(page 1 of 7)
Like an old movie, an established restaurant may be a classic, worth revisiting. But the excitement comes when both movies and restaurants are new.
I love to sniff the air of a new restaurant, feel the crackling, nervous anticipation of the new staff, open a new menu.
With three new restaurants to visit, I had a wonderful month in store.
Two were big deals—multimillion-dollar hotel restaurants. One sprang up along the semicircular lagoon at the new Disney Aulani Resort; the other's the result of the $20 million renovation of the Hyatt Regency Waikiki's third-floor pool deck.
Restaurants like that are like summer blockbuster movies, so much riding on their success.
Those two weren't bad, but the best of the three newbies was like a sleeper indie film—a storefront restaurant in a Kailua shopping center, from a chef whose last restaurant was a food truck.
Such are the surprises of art.
Ama Ama
Aulani, 92-1185 Aliinui Drive, Kapolei, 674-6200. Daily Breakfast 7-11 a.m., Lunch 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m., Dinner 5:30-10 p.m. Free validated valet parking if you spend more than $35, major credit cards.
I had a great time eating at the new Disney Ko Olina resort. Not entirely because of the meal.
Now that our children are more or less adults, there's far less dining en famille. It was a rare occasion to have the little one fly home from Washington, D.C., and the other to find her way home from the wilds of Pearl City.
It called for a gala dinner, but where? It's not like they've ever agreed on anything.
Gotta love that Disney magic. One mention of Aulani, and suddenly everyone was on board.
"Can we do Breakfast with Mickey?" asked the oldest, who's 24. I presumed she was kidding, and booked a table at the resort's top eatery, called Ama Ama.
Disney "imagineered" Ama Ama within an inch of its life. It's supposed to look like an extension of a 19th-century building, including a rustic-looking concrete fish tank. There are lights to make it look like it's filled with illuminated fish.
For all the efforts, Ama Ama looks like what it is, a high-end, beachfront resort restaurant.


text:
RTC Live NCAA East Region: #6 UCLA at #3 VillanovaPosted by nvr1983 on March 20th, 2009
Rush the Court is pleased to have our East Region correspondent Dave Zeitlin courtside at the NCAA East Region in Philadelphia for Thursday and Saturday's games. He will be live-blogging the first game of the day (#6 UCLA at #3 Villanova) to kick off the 2nd round. And yes we did mean to say "at". We don't consider it a "neutral site" game when one team (UCLA) has to travel ~2700 miles to the game and the other team (Villanova) has to travel 12 miles from its campus to get to the arena. Dave will be starting around 12:45 PM (tip is at 1:05 PM) so be sure to check it out. We will also be doing our world famous Boom Goes the Dynamite, but due to the scheduling (this is the only game until 3:20 PM) we'll be letting Dave handle this unless he has some technical difficulties. After that, we'll be taking care of the rest of the day at BGtD.


text:
Ellie Hill should see if they'll convert her gratis membership into one where she can give daily passes to Povarello residents. Then while she's not down at the Loft(y), homeless Missoulians can spend the day there in her stead, while complying with the Pov's regs to begone during the day–even if the temps are sub-freezing.
At least it'll be a good place for Pov pan handlers to hang out. The director will be looking out for their interests while glad handing some donations inside.
Gentrification is alive and well in Missoula.
God yes, lets dictate how those with IT need to seperate themselves from IT…and give it …….for others benifit. sweet! Good ole Missoula.
I don't see any coherence in the philosophy of this new blogger.
He wants people to respect his right to self determination, yet wants to control other people's use of their money.
The right to control one's personal self is a fundamental property right. Respect for property rights is respect for personal rights, like sexual and reproductive rights.
Yet more than once now I've seen envy and spite directed at those who choose to exercise those same rights. Many folks are disgusted at those who exercise sexual and reproductive rights–I'm not one of those. However, I'm not disgusted when someone chooses to use the fruits of their labor either.
Want respect for your lockean rights? Then repect others in their exercise of those same rights.
Maybe we should start a pool to bet on how long it will be before this place closes it's doors for good.
I miss Jay's.
I'm not into it either, but from what I've seen, gentrification would be a good thing for downtown. Other cities in Montana who havent' gone the gentrification route include Anaconda, Butte and Havre.
Cities that are going the gentrification, new urbanist route include Billings, Bozeman, Phillipsburg, Whitefish, etc.
Which way will Missoula go? Keep in mind, one way keeps the tae kwon do shop next to the pawn shop and the casino, and the other way dislocates and disenfranchises marginal businesses and living situations.
goof – where did he say anything about wanting to "control other people's use of their money"?
Did you read the same post that I did? The one at the top of this page?
It's not that I have a philosophical problem with the Loft. I have a problem with the Director of the Poverello accepting a free membership and attending. It is horribly bad public policy and publicity for directors of nonprofit corporations to accept such gifts. Some of us might refer to it as "guilt money."
Sure, the individuals have the right to do what they want with their money, and purchase memberships, if they want. The citizens of this town also has the right to judge whether or not they want individuals who engage in elitist and exclusive behavior running those organizations.
As to those of us who have a history with Jay's (and I did perform there many times in the past), one only has to read beween the line's of Colin Hickey's statement in last week's Entertainer:
"…[Jay's] was kind of like an exclusive place for the lowest 5 percent of Missoula society. Now, I guess it's turned into an exclusive place for the top 5 percent of Missoula society."
Other than an obvious slam to individuals and groups who performed and attended the club–and I've seen people and performers from across the social strata of Missoula do so–Hickey's comments points to an increasing classist society in Missoula. Hence my comments about gentrification.
When gentrification results in loss of things like affordable housing (i.e.the Wilma condo project), alternative opportunities for venue (not that I'm blaming the Loft on Jay's demise–that's a whole 'nother topic), and small mom & pop or alternative downtown businesses, then I have a problem with it.
Gentrification in a downtown that is disintegrating is one thing (like Butte Anaconda and Havre). Gentrification in a thriving downtown like Missoula's or Bozeman's, in effect pushing out long term residents and small businesses businesses and individuals, impoverishes us all. Hence many of us see the Loft as a bell-weather of what we dislike most about the direction Missoula is heading.
Hmmm… reading back, I see my opening statement and ending statement are at odds with each other. Maybe what I do have IS a philosophical problem with the Loft in particular, but not the idea of an elitist club in general, as long as the elitist clubs follow the laws as to civil rights and discrimination.
"Did you read the same post that I did? The one at the top of this page?"
Sure did. Understood it, too.
Well, since you are apparently smarter than me, perhaps you could explain where in his post he said anything about wanting to "control other people's use of their money"?
Am I hearing people saying that so long as a town has a loft and a poverello center it is moving in an okay direction?
Let them eat cake…
Ellie Hill already has a problem with her image among many circles in Missoula, including some Poverello staff, supporters and donors. This issue doesn't help her standing, or the plight of Pov residents at all.
The problem with gentrification in Missoula, particularly downtown, is that you can take each individual instance, and pooh pooh it. Add it all up, and it shows some disturbing trends for those who have called Missoula home for many years, and have yet to share in the benefits some ascribe to it.
Rebecca, you may call Jays a dump, and I'll admit it wasn't an attractive place in many ways. But you could hear music there that you couldn't hear any place else in Missoula–some great touring bands would gig there on their way through town. And it was a place where the door cover could always be donated to a cause, if the band , so benefits abounded.
Losing Jay's and getting the Loft aren't connected actions, thus any outrage would definitely be misplaced. But emblematic of the gentrification of Missoula? Definitely.
Are you and the other MS on this site going to spend a lot of time putting words in my mouth?
It is a really thankless–and very profitless–pastime.
I don't think I mentioned poor headless Marie Antoinette once.
I simply gave voice to a cliche attributed by many dull scholars to her; but I suspect it was a platitude long before that even started.
Contrary, by the way, to your whatever! libertarianism, I embrace that old IWW–Tom Joad leftist perspective:
So long as there are cold, hungry, shelterlesss people on the streets of Missoula, I do object to such an old boys club…
I am a long time fan and reader of 4 and 20, and I have never commented until now. I must admit that I am a bit reluctant to do so, but I have been encouraged by many fellow 4 and 20 readers to respond.
First, The Poverello Center does NOT have a complimentary membership to the Loft. My husband purchased an individual membership for his business dealings. No money donated to the Poverello Center would EVER be spent on anything other than the day to day operations involved in operating Western Montana's largest soup kitchen and emergency homeless shelter.
The Loft provided complimentary memberships only to United Way, the Missoula Art Museum and the Missoula Symphony. Nonprofits in Whitefish have used The Loft to raise more than three-quarters of a million dollars for local charities.
Joe Nickell is a friend and when asked to comment on a story he was working on, I was happy to oblige.
It has been my calling to advocate for those who can't advocate for themselves. To do this, I am both constantly fundraising (to give you an idea, the Pov's annual heating bill is $16,000) and educating the community on poverty and food insecurity issues. My job is consistently about building relationships. There are plenty of fantastic places downtown to conduct business – the Loft is just another one.
The bottom line is that I have to fight every day for the voices of 200 to 250 homeless, elderly, mentally and physically disabled, individuals, veterans and families to be heard, and I will go ANYWHERE and talk to ANYONE if it means raising support for the Poverello Center; yes – even a private club.
At the Pov, we serve all who ask and we do not discriminate. We meet all people "where they are". And, we treat everyone with the same respect, whether they are homeless people or corporate CEOs.
I sincerely invite my fellow 4 and 20 readers to e-mail me if they would like to speak further about the Missoulian article. firstname.lastname@example.com
I see so much pain and anger daily, right here in Missoula, that I hope we all try to reflect deliberate kindness towards one another. Best wishes to all.
I've known Ellie Hill for about a year, and in that year we've grown to be good friends. What I know of Ellie is that she is a TIRELESS advocate for the poor, and her commitment to the Pov. and its clients is unwavering. JC seems to have a personal issue with Ellie. That's fine. Take it up with her personally. Trying to slander her anonymously on the blogs is incredibly petty and counter productive. Show me someone in this town who does more for Missoula's homeless. I doubt you can.
"On a tour of the Poverello's three-story, labyrinthine facility, which has been slowly remodeled and added onto as needs have dictated over past decades, Hill shows and tells some of the catalysts spurring her quest for improving the facility. Her quick smile and contagious laugh offset any mounting concern, making it clear why the Poverello's board of directors saw fit to appoint such a charismatic leader at a critical time."
I have to commend Ellie Hill for coming forward and actually posting a response to what I consider to be a pseudo-slandering of her name in several of the previous posts. Perhaps now "JC" will attack the E.D.s of the United Way, Missoula Art Museum, and the Missoula Symphony. But somehow I doubt it considering that he or she tends to repeatedly bring up Ellie in a conversation of postings that are moving to a more intriguing and genuinely interesting topic of discussion. Perhaps, "JC" may need to take a note for Mrs. Hill and come out from hiding behind the anonymity of a fake posting name and actually state his or her opinions in the open. I do not think any of the readers of these comments are naïve enough to think that "JC's" problem with the Loft is the gentrification of Missoula or the fact that the place he or she had performed now longer exists. Though her "image among many circles in Missoula, including some Poverello staff, supporters and donors" may have its problems, the fact remains that Ellie Hill has achieved more for the Poverello Center in the last year than most of its executive directors have accomplished in years past. So, to be bold, "JC" what have you done for your community lately?
Breaking my rule to post this over lunch, but Jamie, the GoBuild is a great example of what can be required and done if an area establishes "gentrified" development ordinances.
This showcase for "new urbanist" design includes almost half the property put into park, open space and trails and protected riparian corridors, it may include as many as 120 "affordable" (in the accepted definition" living units, it has multiple high rises, multiple uses, a "downtown" area, and preserves a historically significant building and site. The development will achieve LEED certification. IN addition, all commercial buildings will have to achieve leed silver designation. There will be adaptive reuse of current buildings. The development includes community service, residential and commercial development in a dense mixed use design.
The developers did buy and displace a mobile home park, which certainly qualifies for "gentrification". However, we all know the temporary nature of mobile home dwelling and the risk that mobile home park dwellers accept in exchange for lower rents, much as people did who had beautiful views of the river in a cool downtown location yet paid little in rent, eh? Anywhere there is the market inefficiency of inexpensive rent on very high amenity property, at some point that will be identified and corrected. It doesn't mean there can't be inexpensive rent elsewhere, but it probably won't come with the views of the mountains and rivers and somebody else's undeveloped property as a playground.
And the developers worked with each individual mobile home space renter and offered a number of different plans for each person. They didn't, by right, get to live on land they didn't own, it's true, nor should the be able to, in my opinion. But the Community Affordable Housing Advisory Board, HRDC, and other organizations looked monitored the situation closely.
I think the GoBuild/Story Mill project would be a fine study of gentrification and the development process. There's much more that could be said, and perhaps someday there will be a chance to present the process and result in Missoula.
There will be such issues in Missoula, in downtown and in other areas. I've seen it around urban universities who own blocks of land upon which hundred year old houses where generations of people of color have lived—imagine where issues of gentrification, urban university expansion, attracting business and industry into a decaying downtown, and race are all intermingled. Missoula's is hardly an equal conundrum, golf course or old theatre notwithstanding. I don't want to belittle the Missoula issues, but from what I've observed, downtown has a lot of rebuilding and safety issues that will need private investment to maintain.
It's not my town, but as I said elsewhere, I read 4&20 to keep up with the local governance issues, and I think you've raised two, safety and private investment, that directly affect the health of your downtown.
I agree with the above posters and must heap my support on top of the pile for Missoula's nonprofits. First of all, JC, before you make slanderous statements, perhaps you should get your facts straight. Secondly, even if the Loft had donated Ms. Hill's membership, which they did not, the donation of memberships to nonprofits should be viewed in a positive, rather than negative light. Anybody who has ever done any marketing for nonprofits knows how difficult it is to cultivate donors. If the Loft can provide an opportunity to communicate with untapped donors in the top income brackets, so be it. You seem very opinionated about the working of the nonprofit sector in Missoula. How much money have YOU donated to the Pov this year? As per the gentrification issue, in order to have a thriving/attractive downtown we need a healthy mix of retail, housing, restaurants, etc., not only bars. Let's quit mourning the loss of Jays, go to a Poverello hosted "Rock Raiser" at the Badlander and move on with our lives.
I could deal with this supposed "gentrification" if we got a real zoning rewrite, housing codes enforcement, and planned growth. Billings and Bozeman are both ahead of us in that department. I know the Jay's folks are hurt about this one, but music is changing as fast as the venues are. I agree with mediabee. It's been over. Half of the Jay's crowd is married with kids. Nostalgia can get kind of ridiculous.
So, to be bold, "JC" what have you done for your community lately?
WIthout going into details, I can say that I spend many hours a week volunteering for nonprofits, community, and service organizations, (including the Pov in the past) and many other organizations providing services to the poor, homeless, mentally ill, and addicted. And I have done so over the duration of 20+ years in Missoula. That I choose to fly under the radar here, allows me to continue public service, while expressing my opinion and frustration with what I see are some troubling trends in Missoula.
My apologies to Ms. Hill for misreading the Entertainer article and assuming that the Pov was one of the comp organizations the Loft had given memberships to. But that still doesn't change the fact that the Director of the Pov chose to comment about her association with an elitist and exclusive club in the local newspaper. I'm not trying to be personal about this. Any person working in the role of Director of the Pov will be subject to intense scrutiny about their public life, rightly or wrongly. It comes with the job. I just hope that it doesn't affect the Pov down the road as it determines its future in Missoula.
Thank you JC for pointing out all of your work that you do here and none of us, I don't think, would obviously condemn anyone for volunteering and helping out Missoula in anyway possible. But, my posting was just to do that…that is have you bring it out that you do work in the non-profit world here; and, thus, you statements regarding Ellie Hill are biased.
As, I have just personally spoken with the manager of the Loft, the club was neither intended to ever be elitist nor exclusive (a point that was also made clear to me by both of the owners of the Loft over three weeks ago). Anyone—yes, with the means—can join this enterprise which is mostly bent to being a place focused on businesses and business owners to hold meetings and to establish connections with other businesses in the community. The same can be said for all of the non-profit originations and their executive directors.
"No one's putting words into your mouth, Jed. If you don't like the way you sound, change the way you deliver your message or be prepared for further debate."
So you're saying your reference to Marie Antoinette was for purposes of my education, then, Becky–not as a deliberate effort at dissimulation or obfuscation.
Ratchet appears to have been pretty impressed by you.
I can't imagine why…
"Wait… please explain to me how the owner intended for this place to not be elitist or exclusive? I'm totally at a loss for words on this one."
Nice to see that at least one of the spokespersons for this forum can be honest about class warfare…
So I'll just chalk it up to a lesson from the old guard to the new kid on the block, then..?
They may be checking with the DLR–or perhaps somebody is channeling the Acting president..?
Hi folks, thought I would weigh in momentarily here (I wrote two of the stories in the Missoulian). I am glad to see this discussion unfolding in the community outside the confines of the newspaper, because it really touches, I think, on some important changes we're all trying to understand in Missoula.
I'm not sure whether to cheer or sigh over Jamee's assessment of the E cover story. Jamee asserts that the article "…was supposed to be a superficial fly-by of Missoula's newest social club, a fuzzy piece focusing on the Loft's upholstry and vibe. Instead we got something better suited for the a-section, not page six… an article with a subtext of gentrification and social mobility."
I'm glad you got that latter point Jamee, but I'm not sure where the "page six" thing came from; it was on the cover of the Entertainer which is a stand-alone, free publication that reaches far more people than the Thursday daily paper. As the editor of the E, I try hard to find arts and culture stories that can be expanded beyond simply "what's happening" to bigger issues and stories of our culture. I would hope that you don't think that E stories are "supposed to be…superficial" and "fuzzy." We try to move well beyond those standards on a weekly basis.
But anyway, that may be beside the point — especially since you yourself point out that the story does get into a bigger issue.
For years, like many of us, I've watched downtown Missoula changing, with the infusion of many new boutique shops that most of us can't afford to patronize. I see this as a major cultural shift in our downtown, and such shifts do precipitate changes of all sorts. I've seen it happen in other towns where I've lived, and now I'm seeing it here. I've never quite wrapped my mind around whether this is a "good" or "bad" shift — a fact that was apparently reflected by the people who called me after that article was published, some complaining that I was biased AGAINST businesses like the Loft, others complaining that I was biased FOR it.
In any event, my job as a reporter is to report, not opine. I leave the latter to the column I write.
I did, however, endeavor to draw this one new business into a bigger picture of our changing downtown and how it reflects changes in the broader community — the influx of people who already have money and people who make a lot of money.
I guess what I'm getting at here is that the focus on the Loft — or on Jay's, or on the people who are or aren't members of this new club — seemed appropriate in order to make this broader story specific for the newspaper; but as this discussion unfolds it seems to have created a bit of a diversion from the bigger issues that I was ultimately trying to address, and that truly affect us: upwardly spiraling downtown rents for businesses and residences, the expansion of high-end shopping and how that affects the demographics and traffic patterns in our downtown, and so-on.
Particularly when folks take Ellie Hill and Susan Cramer to task for their choice to spend time at this new place, I guess I just don't get it. In both of their cases, it's not their non-profits that suffer from their choice to either accept a free membership, or pay for a membership with personal money; either way, it's not costing the Pov or United Way a cent. In fact, as Ellie and Susan have both said (Ellie said it here; Susan said it in today's opinion page of the Missoulian), being able to find potential donors "where they are" is critical to their ability to raise money to continue serving the needs of their respective organizations. That's just simply the way it is with fundraising.
Again, I'm glad this discussion is being hashed out here, and if anybody ever feels like contacting me directly, feel free — I'm jnickell (at) Missoulian.com.
Christ. Fans of Jay's – call it a hole, call it heaven – are not pissing & moaning still because it's gone. We're just tired of the hypocrisy that seems to suit the 'new face' of Missoula. Since when did being an advocate for anyone or anything involve some Dickensian club wherein the patrons declare their annual allotment for the poor? Maybe that's the way the good old boys (and girls) behind locked doors and leather ottomans do it, but a whole lot of crusty punks turned upstanding community members feel otherwise. We make the wheels of Missoula turn just heartily and have more staying power than a lot of the multi-million dollar deal brokers who would pass on this town the minute their bottom line dipped.
This is not about live and let live, choice, etc. It's about carpetbagging and how to be a big drip in a small pond.
Thanks for dropping in Joe. It was an interesting juxtaposition of stories in the Missoula lately–your E piece, today's stories about "Feeling the Squeeze" and Cramer's editorial. Leaving aside the issue of pubic accountability and ethical behavior of our city's nonprofit leaders, You have unearthed some interesting trends, and touched on some real hot spots around town.
Much of what I have been getting at is the Loft is indicative of a larger trend in Missoula. Cramer's statement that she needs to be 'able to find potential donors "where they are"' points to a disturbing fact. The working poor, that are so well illustrated in today's Missoulian cover story are no longer able to contribute money to outfits like the Poverello and the United Way. Indeed, they have become clients of the nonprofits they may likely have once supported. Many long term residents in Missoula, like myself, are no longer able to support nonprofits financially, instead offering a gift of our time, if possible.
Cramer's desire to follow the money is understandable–it is her job after all. But what is unfortunate, and left unsaid in all of this, that in order to follow the money, you leave many behind. And those of us left behind in the "New Missoula" find ourselves seeking services from nonprofits funded by the United Way, and perchance a roof over our head at a place like the Poverello for a few nights; a few meals provided by the Food Bank or Senior Center. a living wage is no longer that. It takes a living wage, plus the services provided by Missoula's nonprofits (and their donors) in order to survive.
Missoula used to be a place where those leading the city would step down from on high, and walk among the unwashed–spend a night in the local jail. Walk among the hobo camps, and talk to transients. Deliver a dinner with Meals on Wheels. Spend Christmas Eve at the Providence Center's third floor, bringing cheer to those without.
Instead, we are greeted with portraits of our nonprofit leaders as upwardly mobile professionals that seem so out of touch with those they actually provide services to. Humility in the face of public service is a rare commodity today. But a character trait that will be essential in this changed Missoula, in order to avoid a class war between the "New" Missoula, and the "Old" Missoula.
Wendy, I really think that if this club wasn't going in where Jay's was there would be 20 fewer comments on this blog. That doesn't mean I like it any more than anybody else. There is a definite class war going on in this town, and we, the "little" people are losing it. I'm losing my job next week. I have no leads other than the usual restaurant crap, getting under $10 an hour to shorten my life span, even though I've been through college twice. It's frustrating that it takes a club for rich people to rile people up. The club is just a symbol of what we are really angry about. Keep the pressure on our local officials!
The location of this, while hilarious and talked about frequently among former barfly types, absolutely is a touchstone. It seems perfectly appropriate that Jay turned that vomit-enhanced bar into the LaFlesch and thereby The Loft (how many "Loft"s do we need, btw?).
JC, despite the fact that you're so rude to the only people who help people in Missoula, you're right on the $. Unfortunately, it has become all about $, hasn't it?
I have a better quote – this one should appear on some t-shirts, just like it did in the day: Eat the Rich.
I helped run Jay's for the last three years of it's existence. Jay's was a lot of things. It was extremely dirty and worn down but it was also an amazing place that helped form some of the best local acts to ever play in this town Volumen, Oblio Joes, Humpy, No Fi Soul Rebellion, Spanker, Sasshole, The International Playboys(sorry couldn't help myself)…and the list goes on. Also Jay's put Missoula on the national music map which is the reason why we still get some of the shows that we see today. If this place wasn't going into Jay's then this wouldn't be getting the attention that it is. Is there a gap between the rich and poor in Missoula? Of course there is just like the rest of the country. So I say we all chip in some money to get me a membership to The Loft and I'll promise to get drunk on whiskey there three times a week and take my shirt off during happy hour. It will be just like the old days. That will show them. Wait lets make it Watermelon Pucker instead I'm much more fun drunk on that.
Gee, Colin, I was going to say something about "No blacks, No Irish" but then was afraid I'd get called a racist. So I'll instead say Go For It! You have my $20/month… I was just going to spend it on food.
Colin, you of course have my support. I think that is the best idea you've had since you all bought those cowboy boots in Texas.
When was it not about $..?
I think one of my favorite quotes of all times, where things like this are concerned, is "the only people who like change are wet babies and cashiers." Not sure whom to attribute it to, but it strikes me that a lot of the intangible, can't-quite-explain-it stuff that so much of us like about Missoula has to do with both it having been (and in some ways still being) a relatively cheap place to live and enjoy yourself, as well as an open-minded, socially conscious and politically engaged place. I remember that forever, shows at Jay's rarely exceeded $4 cover, and a Pabst was (max) $2, with every third (or so) beer was free, depending who you knew. I think we all knew it was somewhat unsustainable, but it was what it was, and as Colin points out, it was a serious incubator of musical talent.
Jay's, and the bands that played there, really did a lot to get Missoula culture onto the map. It was a low, low cost place for a lot of good music to happen. Most significantly, the low-cost nature of Jay's shows, meant that the frequency with which you could see a handful of touring and local bands -for next to no money- was pretty insane. Thankfully, the Palace and Badlander have jumped in pretty significantly to the role of indie music venues, and hopefully with a far more sustainable business plan.
I think it's fair also to say that it's more difficult now, than in the Jay's days, to put together DIY shows for the hundreds of obscure, hard-working bands that are constantly on the road. Because of that Missoula's become less of a culture contributor and more of a spectator. I take no joy in seeing the "big names" getting Missoula onto their touring routes, while simultaneously seeing the significant musical exchange with places like Sacramento, Portland, Minneapolis, Chattanooga, Olympia (etc.) fade with time.
So, how does this tie in with this discussion about class? I think it's a sad trend in the West, that as boomers retire, often times they relocate, and they set their sites on nice towns like Missoula. In Bellingham, Washington the 3B (their Jay's) was the victim of the types of changes brought by extensive new retirement housing and lofts being dropped downtown. Friends of mine there tried desperately to open an indie music venue, and ultimately failed because either rent was too high or owners wouldn't consider that use of their space following this change. I think if you're poor, working, and even squarely middle class your opportunities to participate in the sort of grass-roots, DIY music and culture that made, and make, Missoula a great city are going to seriously erode with time, unless there's a change.
Well put Josh. Amen.
Its nice to see the phenomenon is getting a lot of space on this forum–first the Cabella realty scam; and now gentrification of Missoula:
Upper middle class movement into the rarified atmos-phere of Bush's America is resulting in a smaller middle class, a larger peasant class and an infinitely larger peonage…
The thing that bothers me about The Loft is that it is coming during time when money isn't trickling into non-profits and times are rough for a lot of middle income and low-income folks. MPA closed it's doors in Missoula laying off it's staff, a few housing organizations have had to down size or reduce staff time to 20 hours a week. Kilgore lost his job, he didn't say it, but it's due to lack of funding.
So if frustrates me that The Loft takes money away from those that could be giving it to some worthwhile causes that really need it. If people are paying attention, our US currency is losing value, our dollar is less than both the Canadian currency and the Euro. Our housing disaster has created a down turn in our stock market …….. and much more. Due to these circumstances people with money are not giving it to non-profits and I feel like they shouldn't be giving it to The Loft either.
I know it's really none of my business where their money goes, but hopefully some of the people with money are reading this and realize that their money would be much more appreciated elsewhere.
I know I'm jumping in a little late, but I have to say that I don't see why some people are so upset about The Loft, anymore than they are upset that someone joins the Missoula Country Club or spends their money on a European vacation or rings up a $500 bill at the Red Bird tonight. Someone put a considerable amount of money into a renovation of the building and on the second floor established The Loft. Would there be an outcry if, instead of The Loft, the second floor was the offices of a private law firm? or a design firm? or a non-profit? These places wouldn't exactly be open to the public either.
I don't plan on joining, but I know a few people who have. I even attended a going away party for a friend at The Loft recently and I found it to be a pretty low-key place to hang out. I'd suspect that for people who like to throw an occasional party for their friends or work colleagues or peers, spending $2,100 annually ($175/month) for access to The Loft isn't really such a bad deal and it may even be good deal economically. You could easily spend a big chunk of change just renting out a similar venue in downtown Missoula for just one night. Missoula has much bigger issues to worry about.
Interesting to read this now, knowing that the Go Build was financed by a scam and a pyramid scheme. I have some hope that HRDC and the City can recover some property for mobile homes…although the infrastructure improvements needed to put the mobile home back in would be extremely expensive…the older court had some marginal infrastructure.
Still some kind of non profit co-operative that could raise state or federal funds leveraged by the annual levy for work force housing might actually accomplish a reasonably priced park. Not for the very poor, no, but for those in the workforce who can't afford even the attached wall condo at 109,000.
However, the creditors get first dibs.
Pingback on Dec 4th, 2007 at 8:15 pm
[…] had no idea how popular this blog was until I made the original post. Between the fact that readership tripled on Monday and the almost two dozen people I ran into on […]
Pingback on Dec 6th, 2007 at 1:01 pm
[…] Greer created a bit of a firestorm with his recent post on the newly created, members only, tony bar called The Loft. Comments ran the gamut, from attacks […]


text:
Cat videos are all the rage on YouTube, so much so that a Russian company hijacked a recent cute clip of a feline named "Pepper" in order to steal the ad revenue.
Kidnapping YouTube videos, which anecdotal evidence suggests has happened thousands of times, is as easy as it gets.
A Russian company called Netcom Partners and others are taking advantage of YouTube's copyright-control filters, known as Content ID. It's not clear how much money the scammers are stealing from YouTube videomakers. But if you judge by the volume of complaints about the hijacking on Google's forums, it's likely Netcom and others are doing pretty well making money for nothing.
"YouTube has developed some system that allows these companies to hijack videos for revenue for content that is not their own without any legal oversight," Justin Pye, an Emory University physics doctoral student who produced the Pepper video, said in a telephone interview. The 83-second homemade spot has attracted more than 149,000 hits.
Matt Metford, a 27-year-old Vancouver, B.C. high school teacher, said he has been victimized about 20 times since March. His uploaded videos show snippets of video gameplay overlaid with Metford dictating a fake story about the game's action in a monotone voice.
"This is a form of cyberbullying," he said in a telephone interview.
Here's how it happens.
To assuage copyright concerns, Google-owned YouTube has engineered a filtering system enabling rights holders to upload music and videos they own to a "fingerprinting" database. When YouTube account holders upload their videos, Content ID scans new uploads against the copyright database for matches.
If a full or partial match is found, the alleged rights holder can have the video automatically removed, or it can place advertising on the video and make money every time somebody clicks on the video.
The idea was to solve the problem of large copyright holders constantly complaining about copyright violations. The compromise lets people submit homemade videos set to one of their favorite musicians' songs or a snippet from a movie and allow the original creator to benefit from the exposure and ad dollars if they so choose.
But if Content ID overmatches or a rogue manages to feed the filter content it doesn't own, a YouTube user could see her video hijacked through a false copyright claim.
That's what Metford, Pye and countless others say has happened to them. Out of nowhere, different ads started appearing on their videos, and the revenue wasn't going into their accounts.
Content ID largely works on auto-pilot.
When Content ID finds a match between videos, the uploaders receive an e-mail from YouTube informing them only of the name of the company claiming a copyright breach. Unless the uploader files a counter-notice disputing the copyright violation charge, the claimer gets control of the video. The scammers seem to be hoping that a copyright claim from an official-sounding company sounds scary enough that users won't protest.
In most every case, when a victim files a counter-notice, Netcom and others abandon their claims, and the original video maker wins back complete control of their work.
Netcom's website http://netcompartner.com (cache) alternately placed its base of operations in Malaysia and Switzerland, though it is registered in Cyprus.
The site has been emptied of content and taken down. Netcom did not respond to a request for comment. A now-vanished older cache of the site showed the company signed up YouTube users, promising to create a network that would boost all of their page views. Though the website identified the company as Netcom Partners, the infringement notices to YouTube users simply use the generic name Netcom.
Google only allows large media companies and video networks to join the Content ID program, which has about 2,000 registered participants. Netcom has been claiming copyright to material it does not own.
Google says its filters have six million reference files. Following its 2007 deployment, it has matched against 120 million videos.
"Our Content ID system works by checking user-uploaded videos against reference files provided by rights owners prior to publication on YouTube," spokeswoman Annie Baxter said in a statement. "If the system finds a match, the rights holder determines the policy applied to that video – either block, track, or make money from the video using ads. Partners found to be abusing or attempting to abuse Content ID will be subject to disciplinary action, including the possibility of account termination."
YouTube forums are littered with complaints by disgruntled YouTube account holders.
Google declined further comment. The search giant said company policy prohibited it from saying whether YouTube was even aware of the situation, and whether it has ever taken action against any company for abusing Content ID policy.
For Google, inaction has little consequence. The ad giant gets its cut of ad revenues from YouTube videos before the content producers do. From a bottom-line perspective, it doesn't matter who gets the other – the maker of the cat video or some fly-by-night hijacker.
Sometimes, however, there are honest mistakes because of the way the filters work on auto-pilot.
TorrentFreak, for example, points out the situation of Dutch game-review site Gamer.nl, which says Google's filters have falsely assigned it ownership to as many as 10,000 user-generated videos.
"It appears that the Content-ID filter is automatically assigning these videos to Gamer.nl, because the clips produced by the review site also include snippets of trailers and in-game play. In other words, the Content-ID filter is set so broad that official game trailers are assigned to Gamer.nl because Gamer.nl uses footage from the trailers in its reviews," TorrentFreak wrote.
Under U.S. copyright law, Google is not required to deploy copyright filters. But rights holders are embracing it as a way to make money online. Even Viacom, which is suing YouTube for $1 billion for copyright violations, uses Content ID and its lawsuit only covers alleged copyright violations before the filter's deployment.
But regular YouTube users – the ones who make what's often called user-generated content – aren't quite so happy with the system.
Patrick McKay, a Regent University School of Law student in Virginia, said he has been victimized by the filters. He even started his own website about it called FairUseTube.org to inform YouTube users how to fight the claims.
"More and more," he said in a telephone interview, "I'm seeing issues with people making original content, and it gets claimed by some random obscure company, using Content ID, and saying they own the copyright."


text:
Michael Aram
Cast Iron 5pc Place Setting
Michael Aram Fine Porcelain was designed to reflect the way we entertain today - incorporating comfort and ease without sacrificing grace and detail. It's about the casualization of formal and the formalization of casual. Constructed of porcelain, our dinnerware is sturdy enough for everyday use. Aesthetically, each design has the strength and detail to stand alone but the body shapes are consistent, allowing for playful mix-and-matching. The designs are also carefully managed to integrate perfectly with our existing array of metal, glass, wood, and stone serving and decorative objects.
Stain resistant
Dishwasher safe
Microwave safe
May also hand wash
As with all fine China, avoid hitting against other hard surfaces, particularly at the edges


text:
These blocks are for a charity quilt Rebekah is putting together for Children's Village in Detroit. It was a great project to work on. I've always wanted to try this Maverick Star (link to tutorial). I was only planning on making 3 blocks, but had so much fun, I couldn't stop.
I really need to do more charitable sewing. I know it would bless my life. I'm so impressed by all the women I've observed doing and making handmade goods for others in need. Sometimes, okay often, I've felt guilty that I'm not doing more to 'save the world.' (I'm probably not the only woman who feels this way.) I have to step back and remind myself that "feeding the hungry and clothing the naked" applies to my own children as well – because they are often both hungry and naked.
Still, it is absolutely inspiring what good in the world can be done by the "small and simple" efforts of women everywhere giving a little something extra. Here's to more of it!


text:
Housing costs force 1 in 10 back to Mum and Dad
13 October 2012
Almost one in ten people aged between 20 and 40 – equivalent to 1.6 million people - are living with their parents because they can't afford to rent or buy a home.
The findings, which were taken from a YouGov poll commissioned for Shelter, also reveal 22 is considered the ideal age for young people to move out of their family home.
But with almost a third of first-time-buyers aged over 35*, young people face years of private renting or living with their parents before they can hope to get on the property ladder.
The poll also revealed the impact living at home as an adult is having on the so-called boomerang generation.
- 59% of those living at home say developing new relationships is harder because of their living situation.
- 35% say they feel embarrassed to admit they live with their parents.
- 24% say that their relationship with their parents has deteriorated because they live with them.
Campbell Robb, Chief Executive of Shelter, said: 'These figures paint a vivid picture of twenty- and thirty-somethings in arrested development, with our housing crisis putting the brakes on their aspirations for the future.
'Our chronic lack of homes that young people can genuinely afford to rent or buy is at the root of the problem.
'As rents soar and deposits become even further out of reach, the Government needs to look seriously at how it can meet these young people halfway, and make housing more affordable so that this generation and the next can get on in life.'
Not sure where to go next? Get advice from Shelter on finding a place to live.
* DCLG English Housing Survey


text:
It is possible to have your scone, or your jaggery dosa, and eat it too. And today I'm going to show you how.
My Jaggery Dosa is a traditional South Indian snack, and it's one of the easiest treats to throw together on a busy afternoon. Jaggery Dosa is quite healthy by itself, made as it is with whole-wheat flour, rice flour and jaggery, an unrefined sugar used in many Indian sweets. I made mine even healthier by using brown rice flour.
For those who are not familiar with jaggery, this is a golden-brown sugar usually sold in blocks and sometimes cubes in Indian grocery stores everywhere. Eaten by itself, jaggery is almost cloyingly sweet. But added to traditional Indian sweets it has a richness and depth that sugar just cannot emulate.
A favorite snack in Maharashtra, the state where I grew up, is to eat a handful of roasted peanuts with a smidgen of jaggery. One of my uncles, Bhau mama, loved it so much that as children we would know he was about to visit, even without being told, when my mom would put the tava, a slightly curved griddle, on the gas stove to roast peanuts. His eyes would twinkle, literally, when she put the plate before him.
Desi's eyes twinkle when I put before him my jaggery dosa, because it is a snack he grew up eating in his Tamil home.
Jaggery is great in sweets because it forms a perfect marriage with cardamom, the intoxicating spice so integral to so many amazing Indian sweets.
I made my jaggery dosa healthier by adding to it brown rice flour instead of regular rice flour.
The scones, as the name suggests, are wheat-free (although not gluten-free, as I'd earlier said, because one reader points out barley does contain small amounts of gluten-- I stand corrected). The absence of wheat gives these scones a really crumbly, light texture that's fabulous. My favorite way to eat these is with a dollop of vegan whipped cream.To sweeten my scones, I used another non-traditional sweetener: agave nectar. Because agave is a low glycemic index food, meaning it is absorbed slowly by the body, it is much healthier for you than regular sugar. I also love its caramelly, nutty taste that I think enhances just about any baked good. At the suggestion of a reader who tried my Black Currant Scones, I also decided to substitute some of the fat in the recipe for heart-healthy olive oil, and it worked beautifully.
So here without more ado are the recipes for two traditional snacks, one from the east and the other from the west, both healthier than their original avatars but just as yummy as they were ever intended to be. Enjoy, all!
Jaggery Dosa
- 1 cup whole-wheat flour
- 1/4 cup brown-rice flour
- A pinch of salt
- 1/2 tsp cardamom powder
- 2 tbsp cashewnuts , chopped into very small pieces
- 1/2 cup jaggery mixed with 2 tbsp water. Place in a small saucepan and over medium heat until the jaggery has melted smoothly into the water. You don't want any lumps here. Set aside to cool.
- 1/4 cup coconut milk
- Water as needed
- Mix the flours, salt, cardamom and cashewnuts. Add the coconut milk and jaggery and add just enough water to make a batter that's pourable.
- Heat a non-stick or cast-iron griddle until a drop of water skitters and evaporates quickly. Using a round-bottomed ladle, pour about 1/3 cup of the batter in the center of the griddle.
- Quickly spread the dosa by spiraling the batter outward, using the bottom of the ladle.
- You can sprinkle a few drops of oil around the edges of the dosa to get it crispy. This also helps release the dosa from the griddle. But if you'd rather omit the oil, do so by all means.
- When the dosa is golden-brown on the underside and comes of the griddle quite easily, flip it over and cook for another 30 seconds or so.
- Serve hot. I like mine with a dollop of vegan butter.
Barley Oat Scones
- 1 3/4 cup oat flour
- 1 cup barley flour
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 1/3 cup golden raisins
- Mix all these ingredients together and set aside.
- In another bowl mix together:
- 2 tbsp flax meal + 2 tbsp water
- 1/3 cup agave nectar
- 3 tbsp vegan "butter" like Earth Balance
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 cup soymilk + 1/2 tsp balsamic vinegar , mixed and set aside for a minute to curdle
- Add all the wet ingredients to the dry all at once
- Mix with a fork until the mixture comes together in a ball.
- Place the ball of dough on a lightly floured surface and pat out with your hands into an 8-inch circle.
- With a pizza cutter, as you would a pizza, cut into eight equal-sized wedges.
- Place each scone about an inch apart from the other on a lightly greased baking sheet. Brush the tops lightly with a mixture of equal parts of olive oil and soymilk for a golden finish. You can also sprinkle some sugar on top for more bling.
- Bake in a 425-degree, preheated oven for about 16-18 minutes until golden-brown.
- Cool for a few minutes on a rack and serve warm.


text:
The GPS-WiFiChron uses TinyGPS library to read the time from NMEA sentences (specifically GPRMC and GPGGA strings) from the uBlox Neo GPS module. The clock starts reading the data from the GPS module (using SoftwareSerial library, receiving on pin D7) 2 minutes after power up.
Once a valid GPRMC or GPGGA sentence is received, the minutes and seconds (but not the hours) are automatically re-set from the satellite UTC time. The successful synchronization is indicated by the "up arrow" at the end of the scrolling date (e.g. Sunday August 21, 2016 ^).
In order to automatically set the hours as well, I added a new menu option, GPS? (Yes/No). When this is selected (set to "Yes"), the local hour is calculated based on the longitude, by estimating the timezone using a simple formula:
// estimate time zone from longitude;
int8_t gpstimezone = round(floatLongitude / 15);
hour = gpshour + gpstimezone;
This formula will not work everywhere in the world, since not all time offsets are 15 degrees apart (take for example Newfoundland). So, if you live in one of these places, the GPS auto-sync will not work for you. In this case, make sure that the GPS option is set to "No".
The second GPS-specific menu item is DST? (Yes/No). Its purpose is to adjust the hour according to the North American DST rules (that is, moving one hour ahead in the spring and one hour back in the fall, at specified dates and times). When DST is set to "Yes" (meaning Daylight Saving Time is in effect), the hour is incremented by 1 if the date is between the second Sunday in March and first Sunday in November. The DST hour adjustment works based on the date set up by the user (from the buttons, menu option "Date").
If DST is not observed in the place you live (most Equatorial countries, but also some Canadian provinces like Saskatchewan), then select "No" for DST.
To recap:
- regardless of the GPS and DST menu settings, the minutes and the seconds are always synchronized with the satellite time;
- if you want the hours synchronized as well, then set GPS menu option to "Yes";
- if you want the clock to adjust itself with DST changes (in spring and fall), then set the DST to "Yes";
- if you want the clock to set its complete time (hours, minutes, seconds) automatically from the satellite, then set the GPS menu option to "Yes", then restart it (power on) and wait a few minutes until a valid sentence is received from the satellite;
- the date must be set correctly for the DST to adjust the hours (if the DST menu option is set to "Yes").
As an interesting side note, I should mention that AdamM, a customer who bought a WiFiChron GPS-synchronized clock, pointed out that the time is off by tens of seconds compared to any other GPS clock he had (this one, for example). After investigation, I found a few problems in the code (which are now fixed), the main one being that DS1307 library I was using reset the seconds in the start() function (!).
For those interested, below is the relevant (GPS-specific) code, which could be adapted for any other GPS clock.
boolean checkGPS()
boolean newData = false;
// for one second, parse GPS data for relevant time values;
for (unsigned long start = millis(); millis() - start < 1000;)
while (ss.available())
char c = ss.read();
#ifdef _DEBUG_
Serial.write(c); // uncomment this line if you want to see the GPS data flowing
if (gps.encode(c)) // Did a new valid sentence come in?
newData = true;
if (newData)
float flat, flon;
unsigned long age, fix_age;
int gpsyear;
byte gpsmonth, gpsday, gpshour, gpsminute, gpssecond, hundredths;
gps.f_get_position(&flat, &flon, &age);
gps.crack_datetime(&gpsyear, &gpsmonth, &gpsday, &gpshour, &gpsminute, &gpssecond, &hundredths, &fix_age);
// estimate time zone from longitude;
int8_t gpstimezone = round(flon/15);
#ifdef _DEBUG_
char buf[50] = {0};
sprintf(buf, "GPS TIME=%02d:%02d:%02d, GPS DATE=%4d/%02d/%02d", gpshour, gpsminute, gpssecond+1, gpsyear, gpsmonth, gpsday);
Serial.print("Timezones from GPS data is ");
// determine if the time is off (and therefore must be set);
if (gpsminute != minute || gpssecond != second)
minute = gpsminute;
second = gpssecond;
if (gpsAutoHour)
// automatically set the hour based on timezone/longitude;
hour = gpshour + gpstimezone;
// set to summer time if DST is selected;
if (doDST && isSummerTime())
// make sure hours stays between 0 and 23, otherwise setTime() will fail;
if (hour < 0)
hour = hour + 24;
else if (hour > 24)
hour = hour - 24;
setTime(hour, minute, second);
#ifdef _DEBUG_
Serial.print("RTC synced from GPS to ");
Serial.print(">>>Checking if the time was set correctly... ");
return newData;
// determines if it is the moment to change the hour;
// also set the dstAdjust to either 1 or -1;
boolean isDstMoment()
if (minute != 0 || second !=0)
return false;
// in the second Sunday in March, 2 -> 3;
if (month == 3)
// check for second Sunday;
if (dow == 1 && day >=8 && day <=14)
#ifdef _DEBUG_
Serial.println("switching to summer time; add one hour");
dstAdjust = 1;
return true;
// in the first Sunday in November, 2 -> 1;
else if (month == 11)
// check for first Sunday;
if (dow == 1 && day >=1 && day <=7)
#ifdef _DEBUG_
Serial.println("switching to winter time; subtract one hour");
dstAdjust = -1;
return true;
dstAdjust = 0;
return false;
// determines if it is the moment to change the hour;
// also set the dstAdjust to either 1 or -1;
boolean isSummerTime()
unsigned long summerStartTime = 0;
unsigned long winterStartTime;
if (month < 3 || month > 11)
return false;
// find the second Sunday in March; start with March 8th;
for (int iDay=8; iDay<15 font="" iday="">15>
if (zellersDow(year, 3, iDay) == 1) // is it Sunday?
summerStartTime = makeUnixTime(year, 3, iDay, 2, 0, 0);
// find the first Sunday in November;
for (int iDay=1; iDay<8 font="" iday="">8>
if (zellersDow(year, 11, iDay) == 1) // is it Sunday?
winterStartTime = makeUnixTime(year, 11, iDay, 2, 0, 0);
time_t timeNow = makeUnixTime(year, month, day, hour, minute, second);
if (timeNow > summerStartTime && timeNow < winterStartTime)
return true;
return false;


text:
Phil Pressey to Declare for the NBA Draft
COLUMBIA - Phil Pressey announced he will forgo his senior year at Missouri in order to make himself eligible for the NBA draft.
The following is a press release from Mizzou Basketball:
"Phil Pressey, Missouri's career leader in assists (580) and steals (196), will forgo his final collegiate season and make himself eligible for the 2013 NBA Draft. Pressey made the announcement on Wednesday as he has signed with the agency CAA Sports (Creative Artists Agency).
"Many college basketball players dream of this day, but when I had to finally make this decision it was difficult because it means I am leaving a place I love so much," Pressey said. "I love my teammates, my coaches, Mike Alden and all of our fans, and I'm so glad I had the chance to play for Coach Haith these last two years. He had such a big impact on my career and because of that relationship I will help Missouri Basketball anyway I can going forward.
"I wish we could have brought home a national championship banner, but coming to Mizzou was the best decision of my life. This is a special place and I will always be a Tiger."
"It's a bittersweet day because we all care so much about Phil, but I know how much research he and his family have done and I support that 100 percent," Head Coach Frank Haith said. "I was fortunate in that I had the opportunity to coach Phil for two seasons and he helped us win a lot of games, but more importantly, he was a great ambassador for our program both on and off the court. I wish Phil and his family all the best as he turns to a new chapter in his basketball career."
Pressey finishes his college career as Missouri's all-time leader in assists (580). He initially set the school's single-season assist mark in 2011-12 with 223 assists and broke that mark this season with 240. The 240 assists were fourth all-time in Southeastern Conference history, just one behind John Wall (Kentucky) and Terry Coner (Alabama) for second and 20 behind the SEC single-season record of 260 held by Ole Miss' Sean Tuohy.
Pressey averaged career highs in scoring (11.9) and assists (7.0) this year, finishing No. 13 nationally in assists per game. He also enjoyed one of the more remarkable single-game efforts in a Dec. 28 loss at UCLA, scoring 19 points and tying an SEC record with 19 assists. The 19 assists were the most in college basketball this season.
Pressey finished his career averaging 9.7 points per game in three seasons and was just 41 points shy of 1,000 for his career.
The 5-foot-11 guard also earned preseason and postseason All-SEC accolades and was named First Team All-SEC by the league coaches last month.
The Dallas native had six games with 10+ assists this year, including 13 assists in the SEC-opener against Alabama and 12 points and 11 dimes in the Bud Light Braggin' Rights victory over Illinois. For his career Pressey had six career point-assists double-doubles, also a school record.
Pressey finished his career tied with Anthony Peeler for career steals. Both players had 196 thefts."


text:
|Price / ft²
Out of the 4 listings that are currently on the market, there are 0 condos, 3 houses, 0 townhouses, and 1 multifamilies. Our real-time inventory refreshes every hour, so that you see the best new inventory available on the market.
This search area is located within 96001. 96001 has 34,260 residents in 13,610 households. The median age of this zipcode is 43.4 with a majority of inhabitants unmarried. At least 57.58% of those living in this zipcode currently own their homes. Roughly 9.29% of population here speak a language other than English at home.
The median income in this zipcode is $45,694, with an employment rate of 50.7%. It tends to take those living in 96001 an average of 16.5 minutes to get to work, with a majority commuting by car. Out of the total population of those 25 and older, 10.43% have a master's or above, 16.28% have a bachelor's, and 24.25% have a high school degree.
More broadly, 96001 is a part of Shasta County, California. Shasta County, California has around 179,228 residents, or 69,713 households with a median age of 42.3. Residents in this county have a median income of $45,582 and a home ownership rate of 62.10%.
Finally, Shasta County, California is a part of the greater Redding, CA Urban Area. The Redding, CA Urban Area has a population of 119,311 across 46,430 households. The median age of the urban area is 38.4. Those living in this urban area have a median income of $43,109 and a home ownership rate of 53.56%.
Searching on Zillow Mary Lake, Trulia, or Realtor.com? RealtyHop has the most comprehensive mortgage and property record data to help you make the best buying decision.